Author Archives: Fiona

Summer Term at Malory Towers by Pamela Cox

A couple of months ago I read and reviewed the first of Pamela Cox’s Malory Towers books, New Term at Malory Towers. I wouldn’t say I loved it, though I thought it was a decent attempt at an Enid Blyton … Continue reading

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Letters to Enid 4: From volume 1 issue 13

Past letters pages can be found under the letters page tag. Letters page from Volume 1, issue 13. September 2nd-15th 1953 OUR LETTER PAGE  1. A letter from Avril Archer, Lisheens, Carrickmines, Co. Dublin. Dear Enid Blyton; I have been … Continue reading

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Monday #319

Letters to Enid volume 4 and Summer Term at Malory Towers The Caravan Family is the first book in what’s sometimes known as the Caravan Family series. In it, Mike, Belinda, Ann and Mummy have been living with Granny while … Continue reading

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Five on Kirrin Island Again part 2

I didn’t mention the Curtons at all in part one of my review, very remiss of me! The Curtons Martin and his father are staying in a cottage belonging to the coastguard. Martin, as seen through the eyes of the … Continue reading

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Search terms, the whole nine yards

Ah the things people search for! I never fail to find something amusing when I look. Here are the best of the latest crop. Misguided questions Famous Five why do Georgina and Henrietta break up? I wasn’t aware that they were … Continue reading

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Monday #318

More Blyton search terms and Five on Kirrin Island Again part 2 One of the questions you so often ask me is about my childhood. You are in the middle of yours. You quite naturally want to know what mine … Continue reading

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Letters to Enid 3: From volume 1 issue 12

Previous letters pages can be found under the letters page tag. Letters page from Volume 1, issue 12. August 19th – September 1st 1953 OUR LETTER PAGE  1. A letter from Joan Richards, Warren Farm, Pyrford, Woking Dear Enid Blyton; … Continue reading

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April 2019 round up

What I have read After a slow few months I’ve not only caught up to my target but I have exceeded it! As a reward I’ve allowed myself to borrow the next Outlander book. I’ve finished: The Nightingale Christmas Show … Continue reading

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Monday #317

April round up and More letters to Enid The two boys held their breath. Good gracious! They were right in the middle of something very queer! Why were these men meeting at this tumbledown place? Who were they and what … Continue reading

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Five on Kirrin Island Again

This is an important book, I always think. It was where Blyton originally intended to end the series, nicely bookending the series with two Kirrin Island adventures. There is a fair amount of character development from George and we get … Continue reading

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Short stories from Rainy Day Stories

Rainy Day Stories is the first of a two book series published by Evans Brothers, the second book being Happy Day Stories. Despite it having been the best weather we’ve had all year this past weekend, I chose this book … Continue reading

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Monday #316

Short stories from Rainy Day Stories and Five on Kirrin Island Again “This bird,” he said, looking at Kiki suddenly, “this bird – it must be in a cage. I order it.” Gus and Kiki get off to a bad … Continue reading

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Enid Blyton, praise and criticism part 2: The Child and the Book

A few weeks ago I looked at what the Who’s Who of Children’s Literature had to say about Enid Blyton, and it was overwhelmingly positive. This time I want to see what The Child and the Book has to say. … Continue reading

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Letters to Enid 2: From volume 1 issue 11

Two weeks ago I posted the first ever letters page from Enid Blyton’s Magazine, and here’s the second one. Letters page from Volume 1, issue 11. August 5th – 18th 1953 OUR LETTER PAGE  1. A letter from Jean Shaw, … Continue reading

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Monday #315

More Letters to Enid and Enid Blyton in The Child and the Book SORRY NOT TO SEE YOU THESE HOLS. HAVE GOT A MYSTERY TO SOLVE IN TIPPYLOOLOO, AND AM LEAVING BY AEROPLANE TO-DAY. ALL THE BEST! FATTY Fatty sends … Continue reading

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The Secret Seven – Mystery of the Skull

Clearly I’m a glutton for punishment as I picked up a copy of the new Secret Seven book while at my nearest library for Bookbug with Brodie. That branch is closing for a while to be refurbished so I grabbed … Continue reading

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The Barney Mystery covers through the years

In the not-too-distant past I have looked at the various different covers that have been used for the Famous Five, Malory Towers, Secret Series and the Adventure Series. Now it is the turn of The Barney Mysteries, or as they … Continue reading

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Monday #314

Barney Mystery covers through the years and The Mystery of the Skull The Mystery of the Invisible Thief is the 8th Find-Outers mystery. As the title suggests there is a thief in Peterswood. An invisible thief. One who is never … Continue reading

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Letters to Enid 1: From volume 1 issue 10

Recently someone commented on the blog asking how they might find a letter they had written to Enid Blyton many years before. It had been published in Enid Blyton’s magazine in the mid-fifties. I checked all of the copies I … Continue reading

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March 2019 round up

What I have read I’ve done a bit better this month, having finally picked up a couple of books that have been sitting on my shelves for ages (one I’ve had on loan since before Brodie was born!) I’m now … Continue reading

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